Objectives
The course aims to produce graduates who: * have developed studies in depth in a range of areas relevant to working with children from birth to Year 2; * will be flexible, literate, independent and well-informed, equipped with transferable skills highly valued in the early childhood profession; * reflect critically on different teaching theories and practices, on their own teaching, and on their lives, in order to strive for excellence and creativity in their professional roles; * use educational theory, knowledge and understanding of complex contemporary issues to make informed professional judgments in diverse early childhood settings; * achieve the knowledge and understanding needed to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, teaching children from birth to eight years of age in a range of community settings; and * appreciate the need for continuing professional development through a variety of pathways including research.Learning outcomesThe expected student outcomes are the knowledge, understandings, skills and attributes that graduates are expected to possess. They are reported below under professional knowledge, professional practice and professional relationships.Professional KnowledgeGraduates of the course are expected to be able to: * achieve high levels of knowledge and understanding of the content, context and processes of learning and teaching within early childhood environments and engage critically with this knowledge as a means of ongoing professional practice; * develop knowledge of, and skills in, curriculum development particularly related to the early years; * achieve the knowledge and understanding that different disciplines provide and work across disciplinary boundaries actively to create cross-curriculum links; * reflect critically on different theories and practices in order to make informed professional judgements in diverse educational situations; * use a wide range of literacies and numeracies with confidence and competence.Professional PracticeGraduates of the course are expected to be able to: * use a range of teaching and learning strategies and resources to provide a positive, challenging and inclusive learning environment; * know how to monitor children's learning and development, maintain records of progress and report on these to learners and parents/caregivers; * show ability to establish a learning environment with fair and consistent expectations and interactions within broader policies relating to student behaviour; * work collaboratively with colleagues, young children, their families and the wider community towards achieving high quality learning outcomes. * interact ethically and responsibly with children and their caregivers, and with colleagues and the wider community; * communicate knowledge and views clearly and respectfully; * reflect on professional practice as the basis for improving knowledge and practice.Professional RelationshipsGraduates of the course are expected to be able to: * show capacity to fulfill administrative, professional and industrial expectations within legal and other relevant frameworks; * understand how to manage confidential information and conflict in a sensitive manner; and * use the skills required for building positive, respectful relationships with learners, their caregivers, colleagues, and the wider community.
Course description
The Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) is a pre-service teacher education course which requires two years of study (or the equivalent part-time). The course is offered by the Faculty of Education, Humanities, Law and Theology.
Eligible students can complete a research strand. Enrolment in the research strand is subject to the school/department being able to provide appropriate resources and staff to supervise the program of study.
PROGRAM OF STUDY [November, 2008]
To qualify for the Master of Teaching (Early Childhood) a student must complete 72 units of Education Studies as set out below, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic.
Except with the permission of the Board:
* no compulsory topic may be taken more than twice;
* teaching practice topics may not be attempted more than once.
Students should note that teaching practice topics require full-time commitment for their duration. The following 72 units comprise the degree program for Master of Teaching students. Not all topics are necessarily available in any given year.
First Year
Semester 1
EDUC9100
Sociological Understandings of Education
6
EDUC2303
Literacies and Numeracies in Early Childhood (includes 10 days of Professional Experience)
6
EDUC3509
The Expressive Arts in Early Childhood: Visual Art, Design Technology, Drama, Media and Music
6
EDUC3665A
Lecture for Professional Teaching Practice 3E (Early Childhood)
0
Semester 2
EDUC9202
Teaching, Learning and Development
6
EDUC3607
Curriculum Studies Junior Primary/Primary 3E (Science and PE Focus)
6
EDUC3665
Professional Teaching Practice 3E (Early Childhood)
6
Second Year
Semester 1
EDUC4704
Curriculum Studies: JPP Mathematics, Society and the Environment and Health
6
Education elective from approved list
6
EDUC47xx
Professional Teaching Practice 4E
6
Semester 2
EDUC9204
Partnerships in Practice
6
EDUC9xxx
Reflective Practice
6
EDUC9xxx
Critical Indigenous Pedagogies
6
Research Strand
A research pathway will be available to selected students. Acceptance as a candidate will depend upon:
* the student having attained a sufficiently high academic standard in the first year of their Master of Teaching degree (normally a GPA of 5.5 or above);
* the School of Education being able to provide adequate resources to supervise and manage the proposed research project.
Sequence for Research Strand
* EDUC9xxx Thesis in Education Part A (6) Semester 3 (as chosen elective).
* EDUC9xxx Thesis in Education Part B (12) Semester 4.
The research strand may provide students with a pathway to research higher degree study.
